John Galati's Writing on Comic Book Herald

About John Galati

Against all medical advice, I'm John Galati. I love Morrison's lofty ideals, Moore's poetry, J.H. William's fluidity, and the way Chaykin makes people get punched a lot. I'm a life-long story junkie, and at this point, it probably disqualifies me from public office.

(What the Hell is Anime? Is a hopefully recurring series where we take a look at the beautiful weirdness of manga, anime, and the surrounding culture and package it up in what we’re calling “satir-ucation.” Which is all to say that this is both well-meaning and entirely John’s fault.)

Your mother and I have decided that you’re old enough to learn about anime. And as your loving parent it’s my responsibility to take you to this casual, sit down restaurant and answer all of your embarrassing question about Goku. I know that you’re going through a lot of changes right now — your eyes are getting bigger, you’re getting glowing hair in places you used to have non-glowing hair — but it’s natural. And having questions about it is natural, too. And maybe your friends have even filled you in a little about the birds and the beedrills, but I want to make sure you get the right information so you can stay safe out there. So now, before your feisty fajita bites get here and we have the most awkward meal of our life, let me tell you about the birds and the bees and the artistic merits of manga and anime.[Read more…] about What the Hell is Anime? Part 1: Dragon Ball, One Piece, & Gluttony

To attend conventions is to pry open the world of crazy, behind which lies economic disaster, talking with strangers, and the terrifying reality of leaving your house. How’s a body supposed to get through a show while staying in the shallow end?! But do not go full simian feces, for I, the rabid raccoon in your rumpus room answering to John Galati, am here to hold your hand through this, the least trying trial of of all time.[Read more…] about How To Enjoy a Comic Con – A Beginner’s Guide

Educators at every level are using pop culture to teach students literacy (both linguistic and cultural). And while classes on Moore and Spiegelman might seem old hat by now, there’s an increasing push to use Manga to reach out to a new generation of kids who prefer that format to the Western style.

But where can I start for my school library? you might be asking in a way that’s convenient for my search terms. Easy. Here’s a list of some great titles, broken up by age group and genre, that will fit right in at school or at home.[Read more…] about Mangas that Belong in a Library in 2019

The Elseworlds were DC’s test kitchen, providing a place for authors and artists to tweak, remix, or utterly break and rebuild certain characters. The stories were meant to deliver stories that were impossible in normal continuity, or to allow characters to break from their normal constraints and… say… fight Lovecraftian monsters or level whole cities.

The X-Men are maybe the worst time criminals since Van Damme, having gone through various realities, dimensions, and timelines more than I’ve eaten at burger joints. Therefore, it comes down to somebody to gather up all the disparate adventures and try to make sense out of them for you. Sadly, this duty has fallen to me, this website’s less-talented Alex Winter.[Read more…] about X-Men Timelines and Alternate Universes!